ISF Intelligence Bureau Detains Sheikh over Tripoli Bombings
The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau detained Sheikh Ahmed al-Gharib in Tripoli over links to Friday's blasts that rocked the northern city and seized arms from his residence, the state-run National news agency reported Saturday.
According to the NNA, a surveillance camera spotted in the area near the explosion that took place near al-Salam mosque.
The Intelligence Bureau raided al-Gharib's house in Minyeh neighborhood in Tripoli and seized machineguns and grenades.
On Friday, powerful car bombs exploded outside two Sunni mosques in Tripoli, killing at least 45 people and wounding hundreds.
The first bomb struck in the city center at the al-Salam mosque as worshipers were still inside.
The second explosion struck just minutes later outside al-Taqwa mosque, about two kilometers away, near the port.
Earlier on Saturday, al-Akhbar newspaper reported that al-Gharib was detained over links to the blasts.
According to the report, Gharib was detained after security agencies seized at his residence military maps for the city of Tripoli and explosives.
The newspaper said that Gharib was moved to the ISF intelligence Bureau center in Beirut.
Gharib, according to the report, was tasked by head of the Islamic Unification Movement Sheikh Hashem Minqara to follow up with the Syrian regime the latest developments.
The movement denounced Gharib's arrest, expressing fear that the accusations were fabricated against him.
Sources told the newspaper that the seized arms in Gharib's house were an individual pistol in addition to two hand grenades.
On Wednesday, army chief General Jean Qahwaji had said his forces were fighting a "total war" against terrorism whose aim is "to provoke sectarian strife" in the country.
The army had been pursuing a "terrorist cell that prepares car bombs and sends them to residential neighborhoods," he said, adding that this action aimed at provoking sectarian strife.
A Lebanese and two Palestinians suspected of preparing a car bomb attack were arrested days after the latest blast in Beirut, the General Security agency said.
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